Covering of optical cases



Jan. 26, 1932. F. T. WILLMOTT COVERING OF OPTICAL CASES Filed July 51,1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l H M w W 2 H 4 e 5 mw MM i m a Adar-wk han-ms WImoH' (m): Attorney.

Jan. 26, 1932. F. T. WILLMOTT COVERING OF OPTICAL CASES Filed July 31,1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 URL 7/ H I E' vedenck mamas WM H n k f HarrmfPatented Jan. 26, 1932 PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK THOMAS WILLMOTT, OFEVESHAM, ENGLAND COVERING OF OPTICAL CASES Application filed July 31,1930, Serial No. 472,136, and in Great Britain June 4, 1930.

This invention has reference to the covering of optical cases, moreparticularly those designed for carrying spectacles or eyeglasses, andof the kind in which there is a body portion having a turned overlongitudinal edge and alid portion hinged to the body parallel with saidturned over portion and provided with a spring usually arranged to holdthe lid either in a fully opened or fully closed position.

These cases are made of sheet steel, aluminium, or other metal, and theyusually have to be covered with a textile material or leather and alsolined. The common practice has been to cut blanks of covering materialadapted to extend over the .body portion and lid and having an excess ofmaterial sufiicient to turn over the edges of the body and lid. Thiscovering material is usually impregnated or coated or otherwise providedwith a rubber, shellac or similar adhesive material so that it may bevulcanized or otherwise secured to the case. The lining is cut to ashape corresponding with that of the interior of the case body and lidand is glued or otherwise secured to the interior of the case. The usualmethod is first to cover the case, the excess material being folded overthe edge of the lid and body and vulcanized under pressure or otherwisesecured, a lining which extends to the periphery-of the lid and body ornearly so being subsequently glued in position.

The peripheral length of the marginal or folded in part of the coveringmaterial, particularly on the lid, is considerably greater than thelength of that portion of the lid which is available to receive it andto which it is to be secured, with the result that this folded in part,particularly at the corners,

becomes irregularly pleated or lapped on itself so that it will be oftwo or three thicknesses at some points.

Further, the covering blanks having been cut before their application tothe cases, it is commercially impossible to ensure that there willalways be an even amount of marginal covering material projecting beyondthe edge W of the lid. and an even width of folded in material. Theseinequalities of width and thicknesses of material have in the past beenhidden by the lining which extends substantially to the periphery of thelid, but this has been found very unsatisfactory in practice because ifthe lining is of velvet,-which is commonly used, it is liable to fray atthe edges and to come away from the lid.

The object of this invention is to manufacture improved cases obviatingthese defects, and in accordance therewith the covering ma- 00 terlal,is folded over both the edge of the lid and lining material, this foldedover portion being secured under pressure. Means are preferably providedfor ensuring an exactly even width of folded over material, and means 66are preferably provided for absorbing the excess material.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view showing aspectacle case constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a spectacle case in the course ofconstruction.

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the tools used for trimming theedge of the lid covering material.

Figure 4 is a plan view corresponding with Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a side view of the tools shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional side view of the tools shown in Figures 3 and 4,with the case in position therein.

Figure 7 is a sectional view showing a further pair of tools used infinishing the covering of the lid.

Figure 8 is a rear view of the tools shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the spectacle case before the liningis applied thereto.

In covering a case according to this invention, the first operations ofcutting the blank of covering material, the blanks of linin material,and securing the covering materia to the case, are carried out in thesame manner as heretofore. By these means the body of the case isentirely covered and the lid covered but leaving an excess of coveringmaterial around the periphery of the lid, say, one quarter tofive-sixteenths of an inch.

As previously pointed out, it has hitherto been commercially impossibleto ensure an even width of marginal projecting covering material, andthe first novel operation in the new method consists in positioning thepartly covered case 111 a press and then trnm'nmg the edge ofthecovering material around the lid so as to leave an exactly evenmarginal projection. This is illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 and isaccomplished by means of a pair of cutting tools 1, 2, corresponding inshape with that of the lid 3, but larger radially by an amount equal tothe overlap of covering material desired, these cutting toolsco-operating with a pressure plate 4 adapted to engage the coveringmaterial 5 overlapping the edge of the lid, a recess 6 in the pressureplate accommodating the dome of the lid. The operation is carried out asfollows.

The case is placed face downwardly upon the lower tool 2, in which toolthe case is positioned by a pair of shoulders 7 engaging the ends of thehinge 8 of the case and by a pair of faces 9 engaging the side of thehinge, the tool having an external cutting edge 10 corresponding inshape to the periphery of the lid 3, but larger than this by the amountof excess covering material 11 it is desired to leave overlapping theedge of the lid.

The upper tool 1 has an internal cutting edge 12 similar in shape andsize to the cu tting edge 10 of the lower tool, which tool 1s adapted toslide within the upper tool, so that a shear cut is imparted to thecovering material 11 when it is inserted between the two tools. With theupper cutting tool is associated a pressure plate 4, which plate isadapted to engage the overlapping portion 1 of the covering, the plate4chaving the recess 6 in its under surface corresponding in shape withthat of the lid of the case, and a lip 13 of substantially C shapepartially surrounding this recess, the width of this lip correspondingwith the amount of overlap desired. The lip is adapted to fit over thelid 3 of the case, when same is positioned in the lower tool, the Cshaped lip then engaging the overlapping covering 11 and fiattening itto obviate wrinkles during the cutting action, the open side of the lipgiving clearance for the hinged side of the lid. The lip 13 of thepressure plate is adapted normally to project slightly from the face ofthe upper tool 1 so that it engages first with the covering, thepressure plate being mounted on bolts 14 so that it can slide in theupper tool to allow the latter to engage with the covering. Springs 15are mounted on the bolts 14, so that the pressure plate normallyprojects from the face of the upper tool the plate being forced into arecess in the tool against the action of these springs.

After the case is positioned in the lower tool 2 the uppertool isapproached, the pressure lip 13 contacting with the projecting coveringmaterial 11 which is thus held firmly in position between this ring andthe lower tool 2. As the tools are further approached, the pressureplate slides In the recess in the upper teel l, which tool finallyengages the excess overlap pr0 eet1ng beyond the edge of the lip 13. Thecutting edge 12 of the upper tool moves past that of the lower tool andtrims all the excess covering material projecting beyond the pressurering with a shearing action.

Thus a uniform width of covering is left overlapping the edge of thelid, and this overlap is adequately supported during the cutting actionso that no tearing of the material or failure of the tools to trim theoverlap correctly, can possibly occur.

It will be understood that the upper tool may be designed with theexternal cutting edge while the lower tool may have a co-opcratinginternal cutting edge, the pressure ring or plate being thenincorporated with the lower tool. The cutting tools are preferablyarranged to give a shear cut, one end of the tools engaging before theother end, or the back before the front or vice versa.

It will be appreciated that it is impossible to get a pair of cuttingtools which will extend close up to the hinge or body portion, and asmall portion 18 of the excess material near the hinge and at each endis arranged to be folded under the lining instead of over the topthereof, these being the parts which have not been shaped by thetrimming tools.

The trimming tools are provided with parts adapted to providesubstantially radially disposed slits 17 (see Figure 2) from theperiphery of the excess covering material to the periphery of the lid,the untrimmed parts 18 being then folded over and vulcanized orotherwise. secured to the inner surface of the lid.

The untrimmed parts 18 of the covering material are then turned over theedge of the lid either by tools or by hand and vulcanized or otherwisesecured.

The lining which may be made of pile fabric such as velvet, is thenglued in both to the case body and the lid, the edge of the liningextending to the periphery of the lid and covering the parts 18 of thecovering material which have not been trimmed.

The lined and partly covered case is then placed in apress which has aheated tool 64 constituting a crimping die of a shape corresponding withthat of the folded in portion of the covering material, i. e. the outerperiphery of the tool exactly corresponds with the outer periphery ofthe lid less the hinge and adjacent parts, and has a width correspondingwith the width of the folded over portion.

The tool is heated either electrically or by other means and it hasserrations 65 upon its under surface extending radially so as to thelining was inserted in the case. These serrations absorb the excesscovering material of the folded over portion and press the folded overportion deeply into the velvet. The serrated surface of the tool iscurved to correspond with the interior shape of the lid, all being soarranged that when a case is placed in the press and the edges foldedover, the tool A finally comes down on to the folded over por-' tion,and vulcanize the folded over portion, the linin and the lid altogether.

What claim then is 1. In the manufacture of spectacle cases of the kindcomprising a body portion and a lid portion, said portions being ofmetal and hinged togetherat one side a lining for said case and acovering therefor, said covering comprising a single blank of textilematerial approximating in shape to that of the assembled body and lidportions, the lid portion of said covering material being radiallylarger than the lid portion of said case; positioning said lid portionin a press, and trimming the excess marginal covering material b meansof a cutting tool associated with said press, said cutting tool being ofsimilar shape to that of said lid but larger radially than said lid by apredetermined amount, whereby a predetermined and uniform width ofcovering is left outstanding beyond the periphery of said lid forfolding within the inside thereof.

2. In .the manufacture of spectacle cases of the kind comprising a bodyportion and a lid portion, said portions being of metal and hingedtogether at one side, a lining for said case, and a covering therefor,said covering comprising a single blank of textile materialapproximating in shape to that of the assembled body and lid portions,the lid ortion of said covering material being radia ly larger than thelid portion of said case; positionlng said lid portion in a press, andtrlmming the excess marginal covering material by means of a cuttingtool associated with said press, and a second cutting tool adapted toco-operate with said first cutting tool, said cutting tools being ofsimilar shape to that of said lid but larger radially by a predeterminedamount,whereby a predetermined and uniform width of covering is leftoutstandlng beyond the periphery of said lid for folding within theinside thereof.

3. In the manufacture of spectacle cases of the kind comprisinga bodyportion and a lid portion, said portions being of metal and hingedtogether at one side, a lining for said case and a covering therefor,said covering comprising a single blank of textile materialapproximating in shape to that of the assembled body and lid portions,the lid ortion of said covering material being radially larger than thelid portion of said case; positioning said lid portion in a press, andtrimming the excess mar ginal covering material by means of a cut tingtool associated with said press, and a second cutting tool adapted toco-operate with said first cuttin tool, said cutting tools being ofsimilar-s ape to that of said lid but larger radially by a predeterminedamount, whereby a predetermined and uniform width of covering is leftoutstanding beyond the periphery of said lid for folding within the inside thereof, but leaving untrimmed portions of marginal coveringmaterial adjacent the hintged side, severing the untrimmed portions 0marginal material from the trimmed portion thereof, and folding theuntrimmed portions over the edge of said lid beneath the linin of thecase.

4. n the manufacture of spectacle cases of the kind comprising a bodyportion and a lid portion, said portions being of metal and hingedtogether at one side, a lining for said case and a covering therefor,said covering comprising a single blank of textile materialapproximating in shape to that of the assembled body and lid portions,the lid portion of said covering material being radially larger than thelid portion of said case; positioning said lid portion in a press, andtrimming the excess marginal coveringmaterial by means of a cutting toolassociated with said press, and a second cutting tool adapted toco-operate with said first cutting tool, said cutting tools being ofsimilar shape to that of said lid but larger radially by a predeterminedamount, whereby a predetermined and uniform width of covering is leftoutstanding beyond the periphery of said lid for folding within theinside thereof, said outstanding 1 portion of the covering beingheld'during cutting by a pressure plate co-operating with one of saldtools, said pressure plate having a lip thereon corresponding in shapeto that I.

of the overlap of covering.

5. A machine for attaching covering material to spectacle casescomprising a holding die having means for positioning andretaining thelid case, a cutting die co-operating with the holding die for trimmingthe edge of the covering material, and a pressure plate for clamping amarginal portion of the covering material.

6. A machine for attaching covering material to spectacle casescomprising a holding die having means for positioning and retaining thelid case, a cutting die co-operating with the holding die for trimmingthe edge of the covering material, and a. pressure plate for clamping amarginal portion of the covering material, said pressure. plate beingslidably mounted in a recess in said cutting die.

7. A machine for attaching covering ma- 5 terial to spectacle casescomprising a holding die having means for positioning and reta 1ning thelid case, a cutting die co-operatlng with the holding die for trimmingthe edge of the covering material and a pressure plate for clamping amarginal portion of the covering material, said pressure plate havlng aC shaped lip for pressing on the covering material.

8. A machine for attaching covering material to spectacle casescomprising a holding die having means for positioning and retaining thelid case, a cutting die co-operating with the holding die for trimmingthe edge of the covering material, and a pressure plate for clamping amarginal portion of the covering material, said pressure plate beingresiliently mounted in said cutting die.

9. A machine for attachin covering material to spectacle casescomprising a holding die having means for positioning and retaining thelid case, and a crimping die having around its periphery projecting ribsfor crimping the turned over edge of the covering material.

10. In the manufacture of spectacle cases of the kind comprising a bodyportion and a lid portion, said portions being of metal and hingedtogether at one side, a lining for said case and a covering therefor,said covering comprising a single blank of textile materialapproximating in shape to that of the assembled body and lid portions,the lid portion of said covering material being radially larger than thelid portion of said case; positioning said lid portion in a press, andtrimming the excess marginal covering material by means of a cuttingtool associated with said press, said cutting tool being of similarshape to that of said lid but larger radially than said lid by apredetermined amount, whereby a predetermined and uniform width ofcovering is left outstanding beyond the periphery of said lid forfolding within the inside thereof, folding this outstanding portion ofthe covering material over the edge of the lid, and crimping it 'by acrimping tool. 11. In the manufacture of spectacle cases of the kindcomprising a body portion and a lid portion, said portions being ofmetal and hinged together at one side, a lining for said case and acovering therefor, said covering comprising a single blank of textilematerial approximating in shape to that of the assembled body and lidportions, the lid por- 0 tion of said covering material being radiallylarger than the lid portion of said case; positioning said lid portionin a press, and trimming the excess marginal covering material by meansof a cutting tool associated with 55 said press, said cutting tool beingof similar shape to that of said lid but larger radially than said lidby a predetermined amount, whereby a predetermined and uniform width ofcovering is left outstanding beyond the periphery of said lid forfolding within the inside thereof, folding portions of the outstandingcovering material inwardly over the edge of the lid, securing a liningto the lid and folding the remainder of the outstanding ortion of thecovering material over the ec ges of the lid and lining material.

12. In the manufacture of spectacle cases of the kind comprising a bodyportion and a lid portion, said portions being of metal and hingedtogether atone side, a lining for said case and a covering therefor,said covering comprising a single blank of textile materialapproximating in shape to that of the assembled body and lid portions,the lid portion of said covering material being radially larger than thelid portion of said case; positioning said lid portion in a press, andtrimming the excess marginal covering material by means of a cuttingtool associated with said press, said cutting tool being of similarshape to that of said lid but larger radially than said lid by apredetermined amount, whereby a predetermined and uniform width ofcovering is left outstanding beyond the periphery of said lid forfolding within the inside thereof, but leaving untrimmed portions ofmarginal covering material adjacent the hinged side, severin theuntrimmed portions of marginal material from the trimmed portionthereof, folding the untrimmed portions of the covering material overthe edge of the lid, securing a lining to the lid, and folding theremainder of the outstanding portion of the covering material over theedges of the lid and lining material.

13. In the manufacture of spectacle cases of the kind comprising a bodyportion and a lid portion, said portions being of metal and hingedtogether at one side, a lining for said case and a covering therefor,said covering comprising a single blank of textile materialapproximating in shape to that of the assembled body and lid portions,the lid portion of said covering material being radially larger than thelid portion of said case; positioning said lid portion in a press, andtrimming the excess marginal covering material by means of a cuttingtool associated with said press, said cutting tool being of similarshape to that of said lid but larger radially than said lid by apredetermined amount, whereby a predetermined and uniform width ofcovering is left outstanding beyond the periphery of said lid forfolding within the inside thereof, securing a lining to the lid, foldingthis outstanding portion of the covering material over the edge of thelid and crimping it by a crimping tool.

14. In the manufacture of spectacle cases of the kind comprising a bodyportion and a lid portion, said portions being of metal and hlngedtogether at one side, a lining for said case and a covering therefor,said covering comprising a single blank of textile materialapproximating in shape to that of the assembled body and lid portions,the lid portion of said covering material being radially larger than thelid portion of said case; positioning said lid portion in a press, andtrimming the excess marginal covering material by means of a cuttingtool assoclated with said press, said cutting tool being of similarshape to that of said lid but larger radially than said lid by apredetermined amount, whereby a predetermined and uniform width ofcovering is left outstanding beyond the periphery of said lid forfolding within the inside thereof, folding portions of the outstandingcovering material inwardly over the edge of the lid, securing a liningto the lid, folding the remainder of the outstanding portion of thecovering material over the edges of the lid and lining material, andcrimping it by a crimping too 15. A spectacle case comprising a sheetmetal body, a sheet metal lid hinged thereto, covering material offabric secured to said body and said lid, and a lining secured to theinner surfaces of body and lid, said covering material extending overthe exterior of the body and lid, and having a marginal portionextending over the edge of the lid and lid lining. 4 n 16. A spectaclecase comprising a sheet metal body, a sheet metal lid hinged thereto,

covering material of fabric, and a lining secured to the inner surfacesof body and lid,

said covering material extendin over the exterior of the body and lid anbeing secured thereto, and having a crimped marginal portion coveringthe edge of the lid and its lining.

In witness whereof I affix my si ature. FREDERICK THOMAS WILE L IOTT.

